Politics of Nursing

1 I guess the main reason i have come here is for career advice and possibly to vent. I have been an RN for 3 years, 2 and 1/2 years at my current company. I love my job, and honestly I enjoy it, but I feel confused about the politics of the work place. I work at a LTC facility on a hospice floor, it has its challenges but I like it. The facility I work at has shift supervisors one for every shift so there are 4 in all. Recently 2 of these jobs have came open, along with 1 other administrative job, I applied for all 3 jobs each when each came open but I was skipped over. After I didn't get the 1st job, and was skipped over for an LPN my pride was a little wounded considering I trained her, but I quickly got over it. With the second job I was passed over for a nurse with less experience, who had only been at our facility for a short time that I also trained. Finally last week I found out I was once again passed over, this time for a girl that is frequently late to work, and calls out frequently.

When I went to talked to my DON about the situation, I was told this may not sound fair to you, but the reason I can't promote you is because you are to good at your current job. She explained to me that I was the nurse that she trusted to orientate new nurses, and I was one of the very few nurses that would work all the overtime that came available. In our meeting I told my DON that I still felt it wasn't fair, I even explained to her that when my supervisor was on vacation or called out, that I usually supervised my shift. I told her that I already knew how to do the job. During our conversation she told me she was aware of this and in all honesty, she did feel I was more qualified for one of the jobs than the people she had chosen. She next proceeded to try to make me see her reasoning, by telling me it is hard to find a nurse that is willing to work the end of life floor, especially at night. To sum up she finally stated even though she felt I was the most qualified candidate for the supervisor jobs, that I was more valuable to her and the company in my current position.

After our meeting which has been a few days I just felt down, heck I still do. What I would like to know is has anyone else had a similar situation, and how did it play out. Like I stated above I like my job and I am happy there. However I would like to move up, I have considered trying to find another job and quitting but I really don't want to. If anyone has any advice or insight please feel free to post it would be appreciated . Also please forgive my spelling and grammar I majored in nursing not English lol.
I like the mature and thoughtful way that you described your predicament. Kudos on finding a facility and a specialty that you really enjoy. It sounds like you will need to find and train a suitable replacement for yourself before they will promote you.I think you have handled it all very graciously and you can do this. You sound like a person who would be an asset to any organization.
Sorry, but I'd be looking for a new job. They sound very short sighted and don't seem to realize that eventually even a saint would be disturbed at their reasoning.Sounds like you would be an asset wherever you go.
The order in which they care about things 1.) MONEY. Squeezing you for your value. 2.) Catering to people so they don't get sued and lose #1. Period.
Darien, your DON does not seem to your best interest! it is a predicament, you enjoy your work and at the same time cant seem to progress in your field. I believe you are an asset but I refuse to believe that being a Hospice nurse is the only job that you will love. You have only being an RN for 3 years.....do you have any experience in any other field of nursing? Your passion and willingness to progress is enough to tell me that you can better things at a higher post at your company and I failed to understand your DON's reasoning to hire those other people. Ultimately, the decision is yours to either bring about a change or let it be and you continue to enjoy your work until you prove yourself otherwise. Good luck!!
If you truly like your job you just may be stuck in it. It doesn't sound like your DON has any intention of ever giving you a supervisory position. Ask if they will pay you the wage for that position since the only reason you can't have it because "you are too good at your job"...I bet you that answer will be no. If you really want to move into a supervisory role, apply elsewhere. By the way, I think that is really crappy for your boss to penalize you for working hard and being good at what you do. I don't think I'd be very happy if all these new hires that are not only less qualified than myself but that I also trained in were given the position that I wanted and felt I deserved.